PDP demands certificate of return, alleging massive crackdown on members in Umahi

On Sunday, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue certificate of return to its nominated candidates for Governor and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State as soon as possible.

A Federal High Court in Abuja ordered Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State to vacate his seat after defecting to the All Progressives Congress, APC, last week, according to reports.

The PDP immediately obeyed the ruling by submitting new names to the INEC for Governor and Deputy Governor.

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Hon Iduma Enwo Igariwey was nominated as a replacement for Governor Umahi, and Fred Udeogu was nominated as a replacement for the deputy governor.

Hon. Tochukwu Okorie, Chairman of the PDP in Ebonyi State, called on the INEC to issue certificates of return to the two nominees at a press conference in Enugu.

Okorie, who described Umahi as a former governor, accused him of planning a massive crackdown on PDP members in the state.

“By operation of law, Governor Umahi, his deputy, and the 16 legislators effectively resigned their positions, perhaps in pursuit of loftier political objectives,” the PDP Chairman said.

“The fight to free the state from tyranny and oppression has only just begun,” he said, adding that “we must all brace up to face the evil and narcissistic elements in the land head on.”

While condemning Governor Umahi’s reaction to the decision, Okorie stated that the people of Ebonyi “have long moved on and cannot be taken on board his deceptive rollercoaster.”

“For the avoidance of doubt, our great party’s National Leadership has long followed the court’s ruling by submitting Rt Hon Enwo Iduma Idhariwey and Chief Fred Udogu to the Independent National Electoral Commission as replacements for Umahi and his deputy.” We also made certain that the court’s judgment and other records were forwarded to the Commission.

“What is now standing between the inauguration of the new administration of their Excellencies the Governor and Deputy Governor designate and the issuance of their Certificates of Return in accordance with the court’s ruling is INEC to issue them with their Certificates of Return.” In this regard, we urge the Commission to act quickly.

“We urge NdiEbonyi to remain calm in the face of continued brazen provocation and to continue to dismiss the lawless crew’s deception.” They’ll be forgotten in no time. Ex-governor Umahi has not been granted a stay of execution of the court’s declaratory orders, nor has he successfully appealed the decision, according to NdiEbonyi.

“All he’s done is apply for a stay of execution and file a notice of appeal, neither of which can prevent the execution from taking place.” Likewise, various court papers issued by some state high courts cannot and do not confer any imprimatur of a stay of execution.”

He warned Ebonyians “and all security agencies” that “a long-planned plot of physically eliminating leaders and known opposition voices of the Ebonyi PDP has begun.”

“Last night, in what appears to be the start of that evil plot, Comrade Abia Onyike’s residence was attacked, leaving horror marks,” he said.

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“This happened just a day after he appeared on a live television program to condemn Umahi’s disgraceful attack on the judiciary. We have no idea who will be next. Our leaders’ lives are now in the hands of Umahi, who should be held accountable if anything goes wrong with any of them, because we are not about to abandon the mission.”